Atala Butterfly
This is the beautiful Atala Butterfly and one of the first pictues I took last year with my new Canon T3i. This pictures isn’t too bad for a beginner’s shot.
The atala butterfly is endangered and not that long ago was actually believed to be extinct. It can thank its comeback on the conservation and restoration of Florida native plants. The atala’s only host plant is the coontie plant. It’s recent popularity as a landscaping plant has greatly increased the number of atala butterflies. While I don’t have any coontie plants in my yard, there must be some near by. After emerging from their chrysalis they seem to enjoy gathering in my yard to enjoy my nectar and pollen rich plants. Their favorite is the Florida tassel flower. Which my husband would call a weed and to that I say “A weed is in the eye of the beholder!”